War (Book 3 in Destined Series)

9

"Between the time, between the peace. From the shell. A song of the sea.Neither quiet nor calm. Searching for love again. My love. Between the stones, between the storm. Between belief, between the sea. I am in tune." I finish off the song then gently kiss her forehead then slowly back up. I walk to the door and gently push it open. I find Luke on the other side and I blush at the fact that someone heard me singing.

"That was beautiful." he whispers and I bite my lip shutting the door behind me.

"I didn't even sing the lyrics in order." I say with a small laugh.

"I didn't notice." he says and I pull my hair into a messy bun to keep myself occupied.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it." I say with a small laugh and he smirks.

"I might make you sing me a lullaby to bed tonight." he says and I laugh as we head back down the stairs.

"We'll see." I say when we turn the corner.

"She asleep?"

"Yeah." I say walking over to Drew and leaning against the counter beside him. He throws an arm over my shoulder and I sigh.

"Everything is just so twisted." I say and they all look over at me.

"This life, we shouldn't be living it like this." I whisper

"We shouldn't be running. We shouldn't have so much fear and hatred." I say crossing my arms.

"There's not much we can do about it." Nick says from the table.

"How about stopping it?" I ask looking around.

"And how do you propose we do that?"

"I don't know." I say solemnly and he nods.

"And that's the problem. This is our life Christina. We might be able to face it and deal with it, but we can never stop it. At least not now." Drew says from beside me and I sigh.

"You're right. I just wish there was a way." I mumble holding the amulet in my grip then letting it drop back to my chest.

"There is. And we'll learn it, when the time's right." Luke says looking over at me and I nod.

"I'm tired." I say and they all nod in understanding. I give Drew a side hug, then leave the room.

"I'll be up in a little bit." Luke says and I nod walking by him. I head up the stairs and sigh reaching the top. I walk down the hallway to our room and push open the door. I quietly shut it behind me then look over at Grace.

"Chrissy." she whispers. I slowly walk over and kneel beside her.

"Hey baby." I whisper and she reaches a hand out to me.

"I have something to tell you." she whispers and I lean down some.

"Shoot." I say and she touches my cheek.

"I've always wanted a big sister." she whispers and my heart beats rapidly.

"But even more then that... I've always wanted a true mommy." she says opening her eyes and meeting mine.

"I'm glad you found me." she finishes and I gently press my lips to her forehead.

"I'm glad I found you too." I whisper moving back some.

"Now, get some sleep." I say and she nods. I pull the blanket over her some more then kiss her forehead one last time. I slowly stand back up as her breathing evens out then I walk over to the bed. I slide my jeans off and fix my hair into a side braid. I pull the comforter back and climb in sliding off my jacket, leaving myself only in a tank top. I lay down on my side and wrap the sheets around my legs as I pull the blanket over myself. I put my head down on the pillow and breathe in trying to get comfortable. Finally I do so, and I shut my eyes, letting sleep take me over.

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"Yeah night." I say to Drew, then climb the stairs. I push open the door to my room and groan stepping inside. All the lights are off and I slowly find my way in the dark room. I reach the bed and I find Christina already sleeping soundly. I pull off my shirt and change into gray sweatpants then walk back over to the bed. I gently slide on pulling the comforter up so I can slide in. Christina groans rolling over to face me and I cautiously pull the blanket over me.

"Luke." she mumbles and I brush hair out of her face.

"It's me." I whisper and she blinks open her eyes. She looks over at me and I smile.

"Thank you for staying. Even after our fight." she says and I rub my face.

"That was the stupidest thing ever. I'm sorry for that." I say and she shakes her head.

"I should've been straight forward with you. I should've told you the truth." she says and I grow guilty but shake my head.

"No, you had a right to keep it to yourself. I know you trusted Shane more then me from the start. I don't blame you either."

"You don't?" she asks and I shake my head.

"No, because I didn't trust you when I first met you either." I say and she nods in understanding.

"At least we're on the same page." she whispers and I laugh brushing hair out of her face.

"Get some sleep. It's late."

"You're gonna stay?" she asks looking up at me and I look down at her.

"Always." I whisper and she nods shutting her eyes. She moves onto her side, her chest to mine, her legs to mine. She shifts down some and puts her head in the crook of my arm.

"Goodnight Luke." she whispers gently and I kiss her forehead.

"Goodnight Christina."

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